It was let to Arkell's in the early 1870s but the freehold wasn't acquired until 1879.

The site was originally two cottages which were converted to a beerhouse by 1866 and possibly much earlier. Beer was brewed on the premises, probably using water drawn from its own well. The beerhouse was known locally as The Drum and Monkey before it burnt down in the mid 1860s. It was re-built and re-named shortly afterwards.

The large car park was allotments right up until the 1960s, but The Fox and Hounds still somehow retains at least part of its atmosphere. It still has the air of a pub in a quiet backwater, seeming almost oblivious to the spread of Wroughton around it, and continues to attract a varied clientele over a wide age range.

Current vacancies

"Being a Licensee is a fine and rewarding job", says Chris, and it helps that the Arkell’s directors are approachable.
"We had a lot of help and they provide us with regular information, but ultimately it's up to us."

Chris Manners is the Licensee of three Arkell’s pubs. The Rusty Bicycle, The Rickety Press and The Bottle of Sauce